Portable ski wax applicator

ABSTRACT

A portable ski wax applicator includes a container having heat-conductive walls defining a wax receiving well and a removable cover rendering the container substantially splash-proof in normal use, the walls including a flat bottom wall and end wall extending obliquely from the bottom wall and having an orifice extending therethrough, a valve element extending through the orifice and projecting outwardly from the end wall, a spring resiliently urging the valve element outwardly to close the orifice, an electrical heating element for heating the walls and liquifying wax in the well, and a handle which is grasped for moving the applicator along a ski surface with the end wall generally parallel to the surface while pressing the outer end of the valve element against the surface to deposit liquid wax thereon, and then for moving the applicator along the surface with the bottom wall adjacent to and generally parallel to the surface for spreading the deposited wax on the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable ski wax applicator of the typehaving a well in which solid wax is liquified or melted by means of aheating element, and having manually operable means for depositingliquid wax from the well onto a ski surface and spreading the wax on thesurface.

Portable ski wax applicators of the foregoing type have been disclosedin prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,950,105; 3,968,345; 3,988,070; and 4,065,214.The prior applicators have one or more shortcomings, including no valvecontrol over wax flow from the applicator, no drip control where a valveis employed to control wax flow, susceptibility to splashing of hot wax,absence of means for guiding the applicator in use, and others. U.S.Pat. No. 3,385,954 discloses an electrically-heated wax-melting tool forencaustic painting, which incorporates a valve element in the tip of ahot wax dispensing spout, but otherwise is not well-adapted for use as aski wax applicator. U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,902 discloses a device forheating wax once applied, the device having means for guiding itsmovement along a ski, but the device is lacking in means for applyingthe wax.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An important object of the invention is to provide a portable ski waxapplicator of the above-described type, which is non-splashing andincorporates valve control over liquid wax flow while eliminatingdripping, to avoid in any way depositing hot wax on the user or adjacentobjects, or in excess quantities on a ski surface being waxed.

Another object is to provide such an applicator constructed for meteringquantities of liquid wax onto a ski surface and then spreading the waxon the surface, in separate and independent procedures. An accompanyingobject is to provide an applicator with which liquid wax is applied tothe ski surface and then spread on the surface in a single back andforth operation, which is both easy and effective.

An additional object is to provide a small and compact applicator havingthe foregoing characteristics, which is convenient in use and readilypacked and carried about. Other objects include the provision of anapplicator which overcomes the above-described shortcomings of the priorart and provides advantages thereover.

The portable ski wax applicator in accordance with the inventionincludes a container having heat-conductive walls defining awax-receiving well and a removable cover rendering the containersubstantially splash-proof in normal use, the walls including a flatbottom wall and an end wall extending obliquely from the bottom wall andhaving an orifice extending therethrough, valve means extending throughthe orifice and projecting outwardly from the end wall, spring meansurging the valve means outwardly to close the orifice, whereby pressureexerted on the outer end of the valve means serves to meter liquid waxfrom the well through the orifice and to the exterior of the end wall,an electrical heating element mounted on the container for heating thewalls and liquifying wax contained in the well when energized, and ahandle connected to the container and adapted to be grasped manually formoving the applicator along a ski surface with the end wall generallyparallel to the surface while pressing the outer end of the valve meansagainst the surface to deposit liquid wax thereon, and then for movingthe applicator along the surface with the bottom wall adjacent to andgenerally parallel to the surface for spreading the deposited wax on thesurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing illustrate, without limitation thereto, a preferredembodiment of the invention, which accomplishes the foregoing and otherobjects, advantages, and functions. In the drawings, like parts areidentified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an applicator in accordance with theinvention, illustrating the applicator in its relation to the bottomsurface of a snow ski to be waxed, and also illustrating in phantomlines an alternative position of a cover and a handle of the applicator;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the applicator;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the applicator, as viewed from what istermed herein the front end of the applicator;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the applicator;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cover of the applicator;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the applicator, with the cover and thehandle removed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the applicator,taken substantially on line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view on a reduced scale of the applicator, having a partbroken away, as it appears while being moved manually over the bottomsurface of the ski, shown fragmentarily and in section, for the purposeof depositing liquid wax on the surface; and

FIG. 9 is a view on a similar scale, with a part of the applicatorbroken away and the ski shown fragmentarily, illustrating the applicatorbeing moved manually for the purpose of spreading the wax on the bottomsurface of the ski.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, a portable ski wax applicator 10 constitutesa preferred embodiment of the invention. The applicator 10 includes acontainer 12 having mounted thereon valve means 14 (FIG. 7), springmeans 16 (FIG. 6), an electrical resistance heating element 18 (FIG. 2),and a handle 20. One type of snow ski 22 with which the applicator 10may be used is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9. The illustrative ski 22includes a bottom or running surface 24, which is formed by a relativelythick plastic layer 26 bounded by a metal runner 28. The layer 26 andthe runner 28 are secured to a ski body 30, which in the illustrativeembodiment is formed of wood.

The container 12 has a one-piece elongated body 32 (FIG. 7). The body 32includes, as integral components thereof, a flat bottom wall 34, anoblique front end wall 36, an upright front end wall 38, a crossbar 40,an upright intermediate wall 42, and an upright rear end wall 44 (FIG.2), all of which extend transversely of the body. The oblique front endwall 36 extends upwardly and forwardly at a preferred angle of about 45°from the bottom wall 34, and the upright front end wall 38 extendsupwardly from the outer end of the oblique front end wall 36. Thecrossbar 40 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 34, in spaced relationto the oblique front end wall 36 and to the intermediate wall 42. Theintermediate wall 42 and the rear end wall 44 are spaced apart forreceiving the heating element 18, of the ceramic type, therebetween.

Inner side walls 46 (FIGS. 6 and 7) extend between the front end wall 38and the intermediate wall 42 at opposite ends thereof. Outer side walls48 and 50 (FIGS. 6 and 7) are secured to the body 32 adjacent to theinner side walls 46, as by screws 51 (FIG. 2). One outer side wall 48extends from the front end wall 38 to the rear end wall 44, while theremaining outer side wall 50 extends from the front end wall 38 only tothe intermediate wall 42. The outer side walls 48 and 50 include flangesor flange portions 54 and 56 (FIG. 3), respectively, which project belowthe lower surface of the bottom wall 34. The bottom wall 34, the obliqueand upright front end walls 36 and 38, respectively, the intermediatewall 42, and the inner side walls 46 define a wax-receiving well orreservoir 52 within the container 12.

Recessed shoulders 58 and 60 (FIGS. 6 and 7) extend for the length ofthe upright front end and intermediate walls 38 and 42, respectively, atthe upper level of the portions of the outer side walls 48 and 50 whichextend between the former walls. A removable rectangular plate-likecover 62 (FIG. 5) seats on the shoulders 58 and 60, and on the upperedges of the outer side walls 48 and 50, to effectively cover and closethe well 52. The cover 62 is provided with a pair of bolt holes 64adjacent to and spaced from its opposite side margins 66 and 68. Ahandlereceiving depression 70 is formed in the outer surface of thecover 62, and it extends centrally between the front and rear margins 72and 74, respectively, of the cover. A tapped bolt-engaging hole 76 isprovided in the cover 62, centrally of the sides of the depression 70and adjacent to the rear margin 74. A relatively small vent or breatherhole 78 is formed in the cover 62 between one side margin 66 and thedepression 70, and adjacent to the rear margin 74.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, two shouldered bolt members 80 havingupwardly projecting reduced threaded ends 82 are secured to and extendupwardly from the crossbar 40, adjacent to and spaced from respectiveinner side walls 46. An O-ring gasket 83 is seated on the shoulder 85 ofeach bolt member 80, around its threaded end 82, and it projectsslightly above the level of the wall shoulders 58 and 60. The threadedends 82 extend through the bolt holes 64 when the cover 62 is in placeon the container body 32. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the cover 62 is securedin place by means of thumb nuts 84, which engage the threaded ends 82.The nuts 84 tighten against the outer surface of the cover 62 and holdit securely against the shoulders 58 and 60, the upper edges of theouter side walls 48 and 50, and the gaskets 83, serving to seal the boltholes 64.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the handle 20 is constructed integrally ofa lower mounting portion 86, an intermediate spacer portion 88, and anupper gripping portion 90. The mounting portion 86 is received in thedepression 70 of the cover 62, with the gripping portion 90 extendingrearwardly, in the direction of the rear margin 74. A thumb bolt 92 isinserted through the mounting portion 86 and into the tappedbolt-engaging hole 76, in threaded engagement with the cover 62 therein.In this manner, the handle 20 is directly connected to the cover 62, sothat, with the thumb nuts 84 removed, the cover may be removed from thecontainer body 32 by grasping the gripping portion 90 and moving thehandle relative to the container body.

The foregoing description of the mounting of the cover 62 pertains tothe position in which it closes the well 52 to prevent splashing out ofthe well of molten material contained therein. Alternatively, the cover62 may be mounted in the position illustrated in phantom lines inFIG. 1. In this position, the threaded end 82 of but one bolt member 80is inserted through a bolt hole 64 in the cover, and the cover is in anuncovering position with respect to the well 52, wherein the majorportion of the cover extends outwardly to one side of the container body32. Similarly, the cover 62 could be mounted so that it extendsoutwardly from the opposite side of the body 32. In each case, theapplicator 10 may be manipulated by means of the handle 20.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the oblique front end wall 36 is providedwith two discharge orifices 94 extending perpendicularly therethrough.The orifices 94 are spaced along the wall 36 on opposite sides of thecenter of the wall and a substantial distance from each other, and theyalso are spaced from the outer side walls 48 and 50.

Each valve means 14 includes a valve element or valve proper 96 and anO-ring gasket or seal 98. The valve element 96 includes a flat circulardisk-like head portion 100, and a round-nosed generally cylindricalshank portion 102 of reduced diameter extending perpendicularlytherefrom. An annular groove 104 is provided on the shank portion 102adjacent to the head portion 100, and it receives and holds in place thegasket 98. The shank portion 102 extends through an orifice 94 from thewell 52 and projects outwardly from the oblique front end wall 36. Theshank portion 102 is of smaller diameter than the orifice 94, fittingloosely therein, thereby to provide clearance between the shank portionand the wall of the orifice, which serves to permit discharge of aliquid from the well 52 through the orifice and to the exterior of theend wall 36.

The spring means 16 includes a generally flat elongated spring element106, a screw 108, and an O-ring gasket 110. The opposite ends of thespring element 106 engage the outer surfaces of the head portions 100 ofthe respective valve elements 96. The screw 108 is inserted through acorresponding opening in the center of the spring element 106, throughthe gasket 110, and into the oblique front end 36 in threaded engagementtherewith, to cause the ends of the spring element to bear against thevalve elements 96 with spring pressure. The spring element 106 thusresiliently urges the valve elements 96 outwardly and against therespective gaskets 98 of the valve means to compress the same andthereby close the orifices 94. Pressure exerted on the rounded outerends of the valve elements 96 will cause the elements to move inwardly,into the well 52, carrying the gaskets 98 therewith, thereby to open theorifices 94 for metering liquid material from the well through theorifices. The rate of discharge from the orifices increases withincreasing pressure on the ends of the valve elements 96 andcorrespondingly increasing inward movement of the valve elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure 112 in the form of a strip ofrigid material extends between the intermediate and rear end walls 42and 44 over the heating element 18. The heating element is recessed fromthe side edges of such walls and closure, and from the bottom wall 34,on one side of the container 12, i.e., the side on which the outer sidewall 50 is mounted. Two spaced apart prongs 114 extend outwardly fromthe body of the heating element 18, with their major portions enclosedby the foregoing walls and closure. The structure thus forms a void 116for reception of a female electrical plug therein, in engagement withthe prongs 114. Such a plug, not shown, may be connected to anelectrical cord, which terminates at its opposite end in a plug suitablefor engagement in an electrical receptacle as a source of electricalenergy. The cord then will extend outwardly from one side of theapplicator 10 in use.

The container body 32, the inner side walls 46, and the cover 62 areconstructed of suitable heat-conductive material, which may be, forexample, a lightweight and durable metal such as an aluminum alloy. Theouter side walls 48 and 50, the closure 112, the handle 20, and thefinger-engaging portions of the thumb nuts 84 and the thumb bolt 92 areconstructed of material having relatively low heat conductivity, such asa suitable heat-resistant synthetic resin or other heat-insulatingmaterial.

In use, and with the cover 62 removed from the container body 32 and thehandle 20 attached to the cover, solid ski wax, which may be in the formof a block or chunks, is placed in the well 52. An electrical cordhaving plugs at its ends is connected to the heating element 18, whichmay be thermostatically controlled, and to a source of electricalenergy, such as a standard 110-120 volt AC receptacle. When the wax isliquefied or melted, usually requiring approximately 5 minutes, theliquid level in the well 52 is checked, and more wax is added and meltedif desired.

Using the handle 20, the cover is placed on the container body 32 andsecured thereto by the thumb nuts 84, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.Grasping the gripping portion 90 of the handle 20 in one hand, and withthe ski 22 supported with its bottom surface 24 facing upwardly andsubstantially horizontal, the waxing procedure is commenced, preferablyat the tip of the ski. The applicator 10 is tilted about 45°, so thatthe oblique end wall 36 is generally parallel to the ski surface 24, asillustrated in FIG. 8, and the outer ends of the valve elements 96 arepressed against the ski surface. At the same time, the applicator ismoved manually towards the rear of the ski, for the complete lengththereof. The pressure on the valve elements 96 and the speed of movementof the applicator along the ski determine the quantity of liquid waxdeposited on the surface 24. Two lines of liquid wax are deposited, oneon each side of the center of the ski. When the rear end of the ski isreached, the applicator is placed in a generally horizontal position,with its bottom wall 34 on the ski surface 24 and parallel thereto. Theapplicator then is moved manually in the opposite direction, from therear end to the front end of the ski, for spreading the deposited wax onthe ski surface, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In each movement of the applicator 10, the flange portions 54 and 56 ofthe respective outer side walls 48 and 50 are disposed outwardly of theside edges of the ski, and they extend below the bottom surface 24 ofthe ski, to guide the applicator in its movement. The applicator therebyis held on the ski 22, and its bottom wall 34 at all times extendscompletely across the ski surface 24. The entire procedure may becompleted rapidly and without shifting the hand on the applicator. Thewaxing procedure may be repeated if more wax is desired on the skisurface 24. During the procedure, the electrical cord will drop to theside of the ski, out of contact with the ski surface 24.

While the foregoing sequence of movements is preferred, it will beapparent that the applicator 10 may be moved in either direction alongthe ski 22 for depositing liquid wax on its surface 24 or for spreadingthe deposited wax thereon, as desired. In any event, lines of wax aredeposited on opposite sides of the center of the ski, thus accommodatinggrooved as well as ungrooved bottom surfaces.

In order to remove the cover 62, the thumb nuts 84 are removed, and thecover is lifted by the handle 20. Should it be desired to remove theliquid wax from the well 52, for changing the wax or for another reason,the right-hand bolt hole 64 may be placed over the left-hand bolt member80, and the cover is secured to the bolt member by a thumb nut 84, asillustrated in FIG. 1. The handle then may be manipulated to pour thewax out of the well.

Employing the applicator 10 properly, there is no dripping or splashingof hot wax onto the ski or other surfaces. The applicator is lightweightand compact, having dimensions for the assembled container body 32 andcover 62 of approximately 41/4" in width, 21/4" in depth, from front torear, and 11/8" in height in the illustrative embodiment.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described andillustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein within the spiritand scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes andmodifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A portable ski wax applicator which comprises: a containerhaving heat-conductive walls defining a wax-receiving well and aremovable cover rendering the container substantially splash-proof innormal use, said walls including a flat bottom wall and an end wallextending obliquely from said bottom wall and having an orificeextending therethrough, valve means extending through said orifice andprojecting outwardly from said end wall, spring means resiliently urgingsaid valve means outwardly to close said orifice, whereby pressureexerted on the outer end of said valve means serves to meter liquid waxfrom said well through said orifice and to the exterior of said endwall, an electrical heating element mounted on said container forheating the walls and liquefying wax contained in said well whenenergized, a handle adapted to be grasped manually for moving theapplicator along a ski surface with said end wall generally parallel tothe surface while pressing the outer end of said valve means against thesurface to deposit liquid wax thereon, and then for moving theapplicator along the surface with said bottom wall adjacent to andgenerally parallel to the surface for spreading the deposited wax on thesurface, means for connecting said handle directly to said cover,whereby the cover may be removed by grasping and moving the handlerelative to said walls, and means for removably connecting said cover tosaid walls alternatively in covering and uncovering positions withrespect to said well.
 2. An applicator as defined in claim 1 andincluding flanges on opposite sides of said container and projectingbelow the lower surface of said bottom wall and below said ski surfaceon opposite sides of the ski for guiding the applicator during saidmovements thereof.
 3. An applicator as defined in claim 2 and whereinsaid heating element is adapted for the connection of an electrical cordthereto at one of said container sides, whereby the cord will drop tothe side of the ski out of contact with said ski surface in use.
 4. Anapplicator as defined in claim 1 and wherein said valve means includes apair of valve elements extending into said well, and said spring meansincludes an elongated spring element mounted in said well and engagingan inner portion of each valve element.
 5. A portable ski wax applicatorwhich comprises: a container having heat-conductive walls defining awax-receiving wall and a removable cover rendering the containersubstantially splash-proof in normal use, said walls including a flatbottom wall, an end wall extending obliquely forwardly from said bottomwall and having a pair of transversely spaced apart orifices extendingtherethrough, and a rearwardly disposed wall extending upwardly fromsaid bottom wall in spaced relation to said end wall, valve meansincluding a pair of valve elements extending through said orifices fromsaid well and projecting outwardly from said end wall, spring meansmounted in said well and resiliently urging said valve elementsoutwardly to close said orifices, whereby pressure exerted on the outerends of said valve elements serves to meter liquid wax from said wellthrough said orifices and to the exterior of said end wall, anelectrical heating element mounted on said container along saidrearwardly disposed wall for heating the walls and liquefying waxcontained in said well when energized, a handle adapted to be graspedmanually for moving the applicator along a ski surface in one directionwith said end wall generally parallel to the surface while pressing theouter end of said valve means against the surface to deposit liquid waxthereon, and then for moving the applicator along the surface in theopposite direction with said bottom wall adjacent to and generallyparallel to the surface for spreading the deposited wax on the surface,said handle being connected directly to said cover, whereby the covermay be removed by grasping and moving the handle relative to said walls,flanges on opposite sides of said container and projecting below thelower surface of said bottom wall and below said ski surface on oppositesides of the ski for guiding the applicator during said movementsthereof, and means for removably connecting said cover to said wallsalternatively in covering and uncovering positions with respect to saidwell, said connecting means including heat-insulated thumb nuts.
 6. Anapplicator as defined in claim 5 and wherein said heating element isadapted for the connection of an electrical cord thereto at one of saidcontainer sides, whereby the cord will drop to the side of the ski outof contact with said ski surface in use.
 7. An applicator as defined inclaim 5 and wherein said spring means includes an elongated springelement engaging an inner portion of each valve element.